Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter

BOARD OF
MEDINA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Stephen D. Hambley William F. Hutson Colleen M. Swedyk

JULY 8, 2022
County’s Gas Aggregation Program
designed to create buying power
by Rhonda Beck, Clerk of the Board
Did you recently receive a letter from Constellation Energy indicating
that you are automatically enrolled as one of its natural gas customers
unless you opt out and wondering if this is legitimate? The answer is
Commissioners yes — it is legitimate, and here is why.
In 2014, the Medina County Commissioners, in participation with
consider ARPA various townships, implement-

requests ed a County Natural Gas Ag-

gregation Program for residen-
A work session was held on tial and small commercial customers which had been placed on the
Tues., June 28 for the purpose ballot and was approved by the voters.
of the consideration of propos- The purpose of this program is to allow local authorities to negotiate
als previously submitted to the a competitively priced natural gas rate from a certified natural gas sup-
commissioners for the American plier in effort to manage costs and save customers money.
Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The natural gas aggregation program has provided $593,000 in total
Some new proposals were also re- savings to Medina County residents since implementation.
Continued on page 3 Continued on page 2

Take time to
TAKE THE participate in
transit survey
MEDINA At the commissioners, Tues.,
June 28 meeting, Transit Director
Shannon Rine reported efforts are

COUNTY
being taken to reach the commu-
nity, and a survey is the best way.
This survey looks at things from
a different angle, and the Transit

TRANSIT
department is excited to receive
feedback.
Even if you have never ridden
on a Medina County Public Tran-

SURVEY sit bus, please take the time to

participate in the survey.
Your participation in the survey
Do you live or work in Medina County? Do you ride the bus? Drive? Carpool? Uber? will be greatly appreciated.
We want to hear from you!
The transit survey can be ac-
Even if you don’t use public transit, we encourage you to participate. Your input will cessed at the following link:
help us improve Medina County’s public transit system.
https://ohmplanning.typeform.
com/MCPTPlan.
Scan QR Code Rine reported the loop service
has declined significantly over
ohmplanning.typeform.com/MCPTPlan
the last couple of months, but de-
mand service remains steady; this
appears to be a statewide trend.
LEARN MORE The cost per mile has increased
Visit www.medinacountytransit.org to book your next bus ride
Questions? Call (330)723-9670
to more than $4; they are looking at
Download the EZFare app to pay for your next ride
Continued on page 2
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter July 8, 2022
Medina County Community Fund founders honored
Medina County Community
Fund (MCCF) co-founders Jack
Holland and Norbert “Nobby”
Lewandowski were honored at
the Spark Hope event for their
role in establishing and growing
the endowment fund. Photos provided

The signature event was a cele-
bration of the fund’s positive im-
pact on the community.
In the early 1990s, the two
friends began talking about how
they could do something to help
the county in which they had
grown to be well-known.
Their talks led them to the idea
of starting an endowment fund,
which would allow their invest-
ment to grow forever and contin-
ue to benefit future generations.
The MCCF, an affiliate fund of
Akron Community Foundation,
serves as a permanent philan-
thropic endowment for Medina
County.
Its mission is to improve the
Medina County Community Fund (MCCF) co-founders Jack Holland, left middle, and
Norbert “Nobby” Lewandowski, right middle, are joined by Commissioners Colleen
Swedyk and Steve Hambley at the Spark Hope event which celebrated the MCCF’s
28 years of giving and reaching a massive $1 million asset milestone.
quality of life for Medina County ber Acres Animal Shelter, $2,500;
residents, now and in the future. Habitat for Humanity of Medina
The income from this fund is dis- County, $1,000; Integrated Com-
tributed annually to qualified non- munity Solutions, $1,500; Lead-
profit organizations that provide a ership Medina County, $1,000;
wide range of cultural, education- Live Inspired, $1,000; Matthew
al, health and community services. 25 Coalition, $4,000; Medina
To date, the fund has grown
Cares Inc., $2,500; Medina Coun-
to more than $1.1 million and
has awarded nearly $650,000 in ty Arts Council, $1,200; New-
grants. bridge Place, $3,500; Operation
This year, the MCCF awarded Homes, $5,000; Recovery Center
grants totaling $33,700 to the fol- of Medina County, $2,500; Stew-
lowing 15 nonprofit organizations: art’s Caring Place, $2,000; and
Access the Arts, $3,000; Discov- Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Grad-
er Church, $1,000; Forever Am- uates, $2,000.

County’s Gas Aggregation Program designed to create buying power...

Continued from page 1 gation program meaning it will automatically enroll
The County has entered into a new contract with all eligible gas customers within the unincorporated
Constellation Energy for the provision of natural gas areas of the County, unless they opt-out of the pro-
to the County Aggregation Program. gram by notifying Constellation Energy.
This contract takes effect August 1, 2022 and is There is no fee to participate in the program. If
for a fixed rate of $8.78 for Columbia Gas customers residents would like to participate in the program,
and $7.40 for Dominion customers through March they need not respond to the letter.
2024. These prices include the cost of natural gas, Those who wish to opt-out of the program will
transportation, profit and overhead. need to respond according to the directions provid-
Medina County has chosen an “Opt-out” aggre- ed in the letter.

Take time to Happy 40th Anniversary!

participate in
transit survey...
Continued from page 1
some different fueling options and
partnering with the county which
will take some time, but will help.
Total passes and ticket sales
purchased through EZ Fare were
18% with a goal of hitting 50%.
With the survey and partner-
ship through OHM, Transit hopes
to see some improvement with the
EZ Fare usage.
Rine said he has not seen this
much support for Transit in a very
long time and is happy to see the Photo provided
Congratulations to Melanie Kasten-Krause who recently celebrated her 40th
engagement from various organi- Anniversary as an employee of the Society for Handicapped Citizens of Medina
zations. County (SHC). During the first 25 years with SHC, she served as Director of
Some of the challenges for tran- Social Services. Kasten-Krause was appointed Executive Director of SHC in
2012 and continues to lead the soon to be 70-year-old nonprofit to new heights.
sit include the fleet as well as hir- Pictured left to right: SHC President Don Spickler, Kasten-Krause, and Com-
ing drivers noting that folks want missioner Bill Hutson.
fulltime employment.
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July 8, 2022
Commissioners consider ARPA
requests in work session...
Continued from page 1
viewed and discussed.
The commissioners tentatively
agreed to provide funding for the
following projects pending legal
review and approval by resolution
at a future commissioners’ meet-
ing: Medina County Parks District,
Chippewa Lake Main Drive Part
II project and Wolf Creek Sew-
er Improvements & Restoration
project; HVAC, update HVAC for
auditorium and County Engineer
rooftop units; DIAL, Digital In-
clusion & Literacy; and Village of
Lodi, WWTP UV Replacement.
In addition, the following items
were discussed:
• Board of Elections – Requests
will be reviewed at budget hear-
ings later this year.
• Highway Engineer – Replace-
ment of two dump trucks due to
excess use – not eligible – will not
be further considered.
• Coroner – Morgue Expan-
sion under review and discussions
with County Coroner and Medina
Hospital.
• Medina County Convention
& Visitors Bureau – Additional
information is being requested re-
garding lost lodging tax revenue
related to COVID-19; proposed
projects will be discussed at bud-
get hearing at the end of the year.
• Medina County Economic
Development Corporation – Pilot
Happy 4th of July!
Commissioner Steve Hambley and his wife Cheryl, left, and Commissioner
Colleen Swedyk participate in Chippewa Lake’s 4th of July Parade on Indepen-
dence Day.
Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter
Department
Work Transportation Program will Directory
not be further considered
• Highway Engineer – Network ANIMAL
SHELTER
Backbone Refresh – further dis- www.medinaco.org/animal-shelter
cussion will be required to deter- 330-725-9121
mine how much of proposed proj-
ect is already being undertaken. BUILDING
• Medina Metropolitan Housing DEPARTMENT
Authority – Construction of Emer- www.medinaco.org/building-department
gency Housing Shelter – as part 330-722-9220
of multi-agency budget package
to further additional requests from COMMISSIONERS
State of Ohio, identifying $1.3 www.medinaco.org/county-commissioners
million from ARPA to be added to 330-722-9208
the state capital grant.
• Village of Lodi – Replacement COUNTY
of WWTP UV Disinfection system HOME
http://medinacountyhome.com
for $393,000 tentatively agreed
330-723-9553
upon – other project requests
will not be further considered for
funding. FINANCE
No website
• Village of Seville – Waterline 330-722-9202
Replacement on Center Street as
priority identified by Mayor Carter
- $1 million. HUMAN
RESOURCES
• Medina County Skyhawks – www.medinaco.org/hr
rehab building; will not be further 330-722-9209
considered
• Premium Pay requests vari- JOB AND FAMILY
ous departments – one-time pan- SERVICES
demic bonuses for specific pan- www.mcjfs.us
demic workers’ will not be further 330-722-9300
considered.
Additional work sessions will be OFFICE FOR OLDER
scheduled at a later date to con- ADULTS
www.mcooa.org
tinue discussions on other projects
including proposals received from 330-723-9514
the Sheriff and Sanitary Engineer.
PLANNING
SERVICES
www.medinaco.org/planning
330-722-9293
SANITARY
ENGINEER
www.medinaco.org/sanitary
330-723-9585
SOLID WASTE
DISTRICT
http://recyclemedinacounty.com
330-769-0289
TRANSIT
http://medinacountytransit.org
330-723-9670
Photo provided
Click here to visit our
website with the full
directory of public officials
at www.medinaco.org
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Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter July 8, 2022
Courthouse Happy 100th Birthday!
project remains
on schedule
The Medina County Court-
house project remains on sched-
ule and furniture will likely be go-
ing in sometime in October.
County Administrator Scott
Miller told the commissioners at
their Tues., June
28 meeting that
the contingency re-
mains at $411,000.
Changes in the
1841 courthouse
Scott have been finalized.
Miller Therefore, the con-
tingency can be used for any un-
knowns.
Miller also noted that small
changes including adding swing-
ing doors between the gallery and
the area where the defendants
and attorney sit were requested Photo provided
Medina County Veterans Service Office Director Ed Zackery and Commission-
by the courts. er Bill Hutson recently visited the Medina Meadows to wish Medina County
Facilities Director Steven Baste- Veteran Robert Pennington a very happy 100th birthday! Pennington served in
an added that the façade is a cou- the US Army/Air Corps from 1942–1943. He was stationed in England during
WWII, was a co-pilot on a B17 and a B25 Bomber. Training in southeastern
ple weeks behind schedule. Utah prior to going overseas, Pennington flew missions over Europe — mainly
A grand opening will likely be Germany and France.
scheduled for November.

Twin Sizzler races

benefit MCSAF
The Medina Twin Sizzler July
4th 10K, 5K, Fun Run and Bike
Race celebrated its 46th year of
raising funds for charity.
This is the first year that the
event was presented by and ben-
efits the Medina County Senior
& Adult Foundation, who in turn
fund the Medina County Office for
Older Adults.
Great event, and congrats to
the winners!

Photo provided
Office for Older Adults Director Laura
Toth, Medina County Health Center Ex-
ecutive Director Debbie Kubena-Yats-
ko, and Health Commissioner Krista Tickets: https://medinacountyfop204.ticketleap.com/
Wasowski at the 46th annual Medina For questions, email: medinacountyfop204@gmail.com
Twin Sizzler.
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July 8, 2022 Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter

Current Open HUMAN RESOURCES

Positions Featured

Job Openings of
MEDINA
EMPLOYMEN COUNTY
T APPLICA
TION
Please submit
information one applicatio
will n per position
sure to fill out be rejected. It is your to the
all sides of responsibility address indicated on
a governme this form. Also to assure that the
nt agency. please note your applicatio job posting. Applicatio
that this completed n is received ns lacking
Fill in the informati form will become by the closing sufficient
on in the area a public record date. Please
Job Title ________ below: when submitted be
________________ to

Postings current as of July 7, 2022

Department ________________
________________ _______________
________________ FT/PT ________
________________ ________________
____ Deadline Date __
In the area SUMMARY ________________
below, describe OF QUALIFI ___
which you are
applying. Refer
briefly the experienc CATIONS
to the Minimum e, education, training,
Qualifications and other
and any position-s factors that qualify

WE’RE
pecific qualificati you for the
ons posted position for
for this position.

Click on any of the below job titles

the Week
for a full job description.
HIRING!
Last Name PERSONAL
_________ INFORMATION
_________
Home Address _________
_________
_________ ___ First
_________ Name _________
City _________ _________ _________
_________ _________ _________
_________ _________ ___ Middle
_________ _________ Initial _____
Phone: ( ________ ________ _________
_________
) _________ State ________ _________
_________ Zip _________ _________
_________ ______ County ______
Social Security _ c Cell
Number Email _________ _________
ccc- c _________
c- ccc

Animal Shelter
The following _________ __
_________
information _________
will be used
only if it is directly c _________
__
1. Are you related to the
willing and position for
able to secure which you are
2. If the position an Ohio Driver’s applying:
requires travel, License, if a
3. Have you
ever been employed
can you supply license is required? YES NO
your own transporta c
If you are currently in the state tion? . . . . . c
a State employee or county service ..... c
If you answered : Job Title ________ of Ohio? . c
......
________________ . . .

• Deputy Dog Warden (PT)

“YES” to question c
#3, please explain ________
c
fully. Barg. Unit
_______________

Job & Family Services

• Clerical Specialist (FT)
• Protective Services Worker 2 (FT)
• Social Service Case Aide (FT)
Maintenance
• Cleaning Technician (PT)
• Cleaning Technician (FT)
• Facilities Technician (FT)
Medina County Adult Probation
• Front Office Staff (FT)
• Pretrial Services Officer (FT)
Medina County Building Permits
Department
• Building Inspector (FT)
Medina County Common Pleas
Court (Probate and Juvenile
Divisions)
• Deputy Clerk (FT)
Medina County Home
• LPN – 2nd Shift (FT)
• LPN 1st Shift (PT)
• LPN 2nd Shift (PT)
• Resident Care Aide (FT)
Medina County
Juvenile Detention Center
• Correction Officer (FT)
Medina County Park District
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
SHIFT SUPERVISOR (FULL-TIME)
SANITARY ENGINEERS OFFICE
Position Description: This position is responsible for the efficient operation of
the wastewater treatment facility and all components of the wastewater treatment
process while providing staff leadership to ensure regulatory compliance. Direct
day-to-day activities under general directions, supervise the shift operations of the
wastewater treatment plant by planning work, directing personnel, and assigning
work to be performed; assisting the Treatment Plant Superintendent and Assistant
Plant Superintendent in coordinating and preparing operation and maintenance
reports as needed. Supervise and perform related preventive and maintenance
repairs. Supervise required process control laboratory testing; perform related
work as required.
Qualifications: Applicant must possess a valid Ohio EPA Wastewater Works
Operator Class II license AND must obtain an Ohio EPA Wastewater Works
Operator III within 2 years of appointment. Advanced knowledge of wastewater
operations, maintenance and laboratory analysis is required. Applicant must have
aptitude in locating the cause of mechanical system and equipment defects; basic
electrical knowledge; have the ability to carry out oral and written instruction; and
be able to maintain effective working relationships.
Wage Range: $30.91 to $32.75 /hour based on experience
Additional hourly rate: $0.60/hr for Second Shift, $0.70/hr for Third Shift, and
$1.50/hr for Weekend Shifts
Available Shifts: 2nd Shift: 4 p.m.–12 a.m. • 3rd Shift: 12 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Benefits: Paid sick time, 12 paid holidays, vacation accrual, insurance (medical,
dental, vision, disability, life), OPERS pension.
Please submit resumes to: dreynold@medinaco.org

DEPUTY DOG
• Administrative Secretary (FT)
• Police Officer (FT)
• Park Planner (FT)
• Seasonal Park Laborer (PT)

WARDENS NEEDED!
Office for Older Adults
• Intermittent Meal Delivery Driver (PT)
• Meal Delivery Driver (PT)

Sanitary Engineers Office
• Kenneth W. Holtz Water
Reclamation Facility Operator (FT)
• Solid Waste Operator (FT)
• Wastewater Treatment Plant
Shift Supervisor (FT)
Transit
• Bus Driver (PT)
(FT) = Full-Time • (PT) = Part-Time
Enjoy the BENEFITS of working for
Medina County! Apply Today!
The Medina County Animal Shelter currently has 3 openings
for Deputy Dog Wardens — 1 full-time position; 2 part-time positions
Responsibilities: Enforces statutes for regulation of licensing, ownership
and animal control. Maintain records and provide reports. Provide care to ani-
mals following shelter guidelines.
Qualifications: High school graduate or equivalent with strong communi-
cation and customer service skills. Valid Ohio driver’s license with good driving
record. Six months work related experience and or training in the caring for
and handling of animals. Able to lift at least fifty pounds.

APPLY
WORK/L
JOB ! BALANCIF E
STABILIT
Y GREAT! E!
TEAM

NOW!
12 PAID
HOLIDAYS! LOW-COHST
HEALT E!
INSURANC
NT
EXCELLEENT GENERO
U
RE T IR E M SICK S
SYSTEM! LEAVE!

Click here to visit our

website for any updates:
www.medinaco.org/hr/
employment/

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Medina County Commissioners’ Newsletter July 8, 2022
OFFICE FOR OLDER ADULTS

Seats still available for Rabbit Run Theater day trip

The next Office for tomary. Public is wel-
Older Adults’ day trip come — register now!
will be to the Rabbit Run “Newsies” follows
Theater on Weds., July the rousing tale of news
27 to see the Disney mu- boy Jack Kelly as he and
sical, “Newsies.” Brunswick at 3:15 p.m. tion is included in price. his fellow newsies rally
Cost is $104 per per- Return approximately at Driver’s tip will be col- to clash with New York
son. Bus will depart Me- 11:55 p.m. lected during each trip. City’s titans of publishing
dina at 2:45 p.m. and Round trip transporta- $1 per passenger is cus- to fight for their rights.

Next Picnic on the Patio Brunswick Ribbon Cutting

set for Fri., July 22 • 11–1
Over 90 guests attended and enjoyed the Office
for Older Adults’ Picnic on the Patio on June 24. En-
tertainer Chad Hoffman had everyone on their feet
and dancing!
The next Picnic on the Patio series will be held on
Fri., July 22 with Holly Prather as the entertainment.
It will be sponsored by the Western Reserve Ma-
sonic Community and will feature swiss mushroom
burgers for lunch. Cost is $5 seniors; $6 all others.
Many thanks to volunteer Ray Ambroziak for his
help with set up and tear down.

Photo by Brian S. Gallatin
Pictured left to right: George Michaels, kitchen volunteer;
Stacy Webb, Adult Protective Services Specialist; and Shelly
Nagy, Adult Protective Services Specialist serve up hamburg-
ers at the Fri., June 28 Picnic on the Patio featuring entertainer
Chad Hoffman.
Photo provided
Commissioner Colleen Swedyk presents a Certificate
of Congratulations to the owner and staff of The Human
Bean in Brunswick. The drive-thru espresso stand is lo-
cated at 3479 Center Rd. Originating in Ashland, Oregon
in 1998, The Human Bean has a reputation for having
friendly and experienced baristas and offers the highest
quality ingredients.

CONTACT US
Office: 330-722-9208
Medina County Commissioners
Toll Free: 844-722-3800
144 North Broadway St., Room 201,
Clerk: Rhonda Beck,
Medina, Ohio 44256 rbeck@ohmedinaco.org

Commissioner Meetings are held every

Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.
While Commissioners’ Meetings have resumed allowing the
public’s in-person attendance, meetings will continue to be
livestreamed for anyone who is unable to attend in person at:
www.facebook.com/MedinaCountyCommissioners
To be added to our mailing list, please contact Public Information Officer Brian Gallatin
at bgallatin@ohmedinaco.org , or visit our website at www.medinaco.org/newsletter-sign-up/

–6–